Lock set for doors



Feb. 20, 1951 c. F. FRIEND v 2,542,130

Loox SET FOR DooRs Filed June 17, 1947 5y im. w.

Patented Feb. 20, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LOCK SET FOR DOORSCarl F. Friend, Burbank, Calif.

Application June 17, 1947, Serial No. 755,062

9 Claims. l

My invention relates in general to lock sets for doors, or the like,and, more particularly, to a door lock set which embodies variousimprovements on the structure disclosed in my co-pending applicationentitled Door Lock Set, Serial No. 592,547, filed May 8, 1945, nowPatent No. 2,485,042, issued October 18, 1949, reference to which ishereby made.

For convenience in disclosing the invention, I prefer to consideranembodiment thereof which is adapted to be positioned in a notch in anedge of a door, such a construction being particularly advantageous inthat the relatively complex mortising operations required wheninstalling the usual door lock set are eliminated. However, variousfeatures of my invention may be inco-rporated in other embodimentsthereof and it will be understood that I do not desire to be limited tothe specic embodiment which is considered herein for purposes ofillustration.

A primary object of my invention is to provide a door lock set which isadjustable to permit installation thereof on doors o f variousthicknesses without any structural modifications. I prefer to attainthis object of my invention by providing a door lock set having a pairof complementary frame or housing sections which may be spaced apart avariable distance, and having means for adjustably connecting thehousing sections together in a manner to permit varying the spacingtherebetween.

Another object of the invention is to provide a door lock set of theforegoing nature wherein the housing sections are provided with angesthereon which engage opposite surfaces of a door adjacent the peripheryof a notch in an edge thereof, the adjustability of the housing of thedoor lock set permitting variations in the spacing between the flangesso that the housing may be positioned in notches in doors of Variousthicknesses.

An important object of my invention is to provide a door lock set whichincorporates a novel locking means for preventing retracting of aslidable latch bolt forming part of the device. A related object is toprovide locking means which includes a locking member that is rotatablebetween operative and inoperative positions about an axis which extendstransversely of the direction of movement of the latch bolt, the lockingmember, when in its operative position, being engageable with an end ofthe latch bolt to prevent retraction thereof. Still another object inthis connection is to provide a latch bolt provided with arms at oneend. thereof which are adapted to receive a constricted portion of thelocking member therebetween when the locking member is in itsinoperative position so as to permit retraction of the bolt.

Another important object of my invention is to provide a door lock setof the foregoing character which includes yieldable means tending toresist rotation of the locking member for releasably retaining thelocking member in either its operative position or its inoperativeposition. The yieldable means thus provides a positive feel for theoperative and inoperative positions of the locking member, which is animportant advantage of my invention.

Further objects of my invention include the provision of a door lock setwhich permits unlatching the door merely by pushing or pulling suitablehandles in the direction of motion to be imparted to the door in openingit, which is provided with handles designed to safeguard the hands andclothing of persons using thel device, which may be installed readily,which may be installed in either an upright position or in an invertedposition without structural modifications, and which provides anattractive appearance.

The foregoing objects and advantages of my invention, together withvarious others which will be evident hereinafter, may be realized bymeans of the exemplary embodiment which is shown in the accompanyingdrawing and which is described in detail hereinafter. Referring to thedrawing:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of a door lock set which embodies thefundamental principles of my invention and which is shown installed in anotch in an edge of a door, parts of the door lock set being shown insection and parts thereof being broken away to reveal the internalstructure thereof;

Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of the door lock set;

Figs. 3 and 4 are longitudinal sectional views which are taken along thebroken line 3-3 of Fig. 1 and which show the door lock set in itslatched and unlatched positions, respectively;

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view which is taken along the brokenline 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view which is taken alongtin-.broken une e-t of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged, fragmentary side elevational vieW which is takenin the direction indicated by the arrows intersecting the broken line1-1 of Fig. 4; and

Fig. 8 is an enlarged, fragmentary sectional view which is taken alongthe broken line 3 8 of Fig. 4.

In the particular construction illustrated in the drawing, my door lockset, indicated generally by the numeral i, is positioned in a cut-out ornotch II which extends rearwardly from the forward edge i2 of a door I3,the forward edge of the door being disposed adjacent a door lamb I4 inthe usual manner when the door is closed. The door jamb is provided witha recess I therein for a latch plate IE which may be attached to thedoor jamb by screws, or the like, the latch plate being provided with arecess I1 for the forward end of a latch bolt which forms part of thedoor lock set IG as will be discussed in more detail hereinafter.

The door lock set I0 includes a frame or housing which is formed in twocomplementary sections 2l and 22 as best shown in Fig. 5. The housingsections 2l and 22 are provided with transversely spaced peripheraliianges 23 and 24, respectively, which engage opposite sides of the doorI3 adjacent the periphery of the notch II therein. As best shown in Fig.5, the transverse spacing between the housing sections 2i and 22, and,consequently, the transverse spacing between the flanges 23 and 24, maybe varied to permit positioning the housing 2D in notches in doors ofvarious thicknesses, the housing sections being adjustably connected bymeans of screws 25 in the particular construction illustrated to permitsuch variations Vin the transverse spacing of the housing sections. Asbest show-n in Figs. 1 and 2, the housing sections 21| and 22 areprovided with inwardly extending tapered projections-or cleats 21S whichare adapted to penetrate the wood or other material forming the door I3to secure the vdoor lock set I3 to the doer when the screws "25 yaretightened.

As best shown in Fig. 5, the housing -section 2| is provided with arectangular, longitudinally extending passage -which serves as a guide28 for a latch bolt 29, the bolt being slidable longitudinallyof theguide between extended and retracted positions as shown in Figs. 3 and4, respectively. The vlatch bolt 29 is provided with a tapered head '30at its forward end which is insertable into the -recess i1 in the latch-plate IS when the bolt is in its extended position., the -boltnormally'being retained in its extended position by aspring VV3I whichis disposed between spaced arms 32 of the bolt, and the forward end ofwhich is seated against the head 3Q,

The latch bolt 29 may be retracted by means of a transversely movableactuating ymember or link 34 against which the rearward end of thespring 3lv -is seated and which extends through openings 35 -in theguide 23 and between vthe arms 32 of the bolt 29. The link 34-isVprovided with an inclined cam surface 31 thereon which is preferablyformed by one side of a generally V-shaped notch in the link, and whichengages a roller 38 forming part of `the latch bolt to retract the boltwhen the link is moved in the direction of the transverse arrows 33 ofFig. 4, the roller being disposed between the arms 32 of the bolt, asbest shown in Fig, 8.

The door lock set IEE includes handles 4I and 42 which are pivotallyconnected to the housing Sections 2l and 22, respectively, by pins 43and 44, the handles extending into recesses 45 and 4S in the respectivehousing sections. The handles 4I and 42 are also pivotally connected tothe link 34 at transverselyspaced-points by pins 41 and 48,respectively, whereby movement of either handle in the direction of thearrows 39 results in transverse movement of the link to retract thelatch bolt 29 in the manner previously described. The link 34 isprovided with a plurality of holes 49 therein for the pivot pin 48 topermit varying the spacing between the pivot pins 41 and 48 incorrespondence with variations in the transverse spacing between thehousing sections 2l and 22 to permit installing the door lock set ondoors of various thicknesses without any structural modications. If thedoor lock set is to be installed on a door of exceptional thickness, alink 34 of greater length than the one shown in the drawing may beemployed.

In the particular construction illustrated in the drawing, the door lockset I0 is intended to be used on a door which opens in the directionindicated by the arrows 39, e. g., on a door which opens inwardly, sothat the door may be opened by pulling inwardly on the handle 4I or bypushing inwardly on the handle 42 to move the link 34 transversely so asto retract the latch bolt 23. It will be noted that the force applied tothe handle 4I, or to the handle 42, to retract the latch ibolt 23 isthus in the direction of motion to be imparted to the door, which is animportant feature of the invention.

Since, in the particular construction shown in the drawing, the doorlock set l0 is intended for use on `doors which open in the directionindicated by the arrows 39, only the cam surface 31 on the link 34 isnecessary, this cam surface preferably being provided by one side of agenerally il-shaped notch in the link as previously discussed. Theopposite side 52 of this notch is preferably inclined with respect tothe direction of movement of the latch bolt 29 to an extent insufcientto cause retraction of the latch bolt if push or pull forces are appliedto the handles 4I or 42, respectively, in directions opposite to thatindicated by the .transverse arrows 33. However, if the door lock set I0is to be used on doors which may .open ineither direction, the link 34can be made to retract the latch bolt 29 upon transverse movement of thelink in either direction by making the generally V-shapednotch in thelink symmetrical so that the side -52 of the notch serves as acamsurface which is similar but opposite to the cam surface 31. It will benoted that the reversible door lock set I0 is so that if it is `to beused on a door which opens in the direction indicated by the transversearrow 40 in Fig. 4, e. g., on `a door which opens outwardly, it ismerely necessary to invert the door lock set with respect -to theposition shown in the drawings without any structural lmodifications,which is an important feature of Athe invention. In other words, bymounting the entire lock set I0 in the notch I I Vin an invertedposition, push and pull forces may be applied to the handles 42 and 4I,respectively, in the direction indicated rby the arrow '4U-to retractthe bolt 29 and openthe door. Moreover, the door lock setis soconstructed that the foregoing end may -also be attained byinterchanging the handles `4I and 42 and reversing the link 34, -i-. e.,inverting the link and turning, it end-for-end. Reversing the operationof the lockset-in the latter manner avoids changing the positionof alocking means 50 associated therewith, which yis another vfeature of theinvention.

In order to safeguard the hands of persons operating Y'the door lock seti0, the handles 4I and 42gareprovided with recesses 5,3 and 54, re-

spectively,-for the operators'ngertips at PQillts removed from theforward edge I2 'of the door I3 so that it is virtually impossible forthe operators fingers to be caught between the door and the door jamb I.The handles 4I and 42 are also provided with smooth, rounded contours tosafeguard the hands and clothing of persons operating the door lock setlil, the handles preferably being provided with substantially S-shapedouter surfaces as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The previously mentioned locking means 56 prevents retraction of thelatch bolt 29 when the door I3 is locked and is preferably operable by ahandle 51 located on the side of the door toward which the door is movedwhen being opened, e. g., on the inner side of the door. As |best shownin Figs. 3 and 4, the locking means 56 includes a locking member 58 towhich the handle 51 is connected and which is journalled in openings 5dand 6E! in the housing section 2l carrying the latch bolt the lockingmember 58 being rotatable about a transverse axis which is substantiallyaligned with the guide 28 and which is spaced from the rearward endthereof.

The locking member t8 is provided with a constricted portion 6I which ispreferably of a generally rectangular cross section as shown in Fig. 8,the locking member being rotatable between an operative position whereinthe constricted portion 6I thereof is oriented transversely of thedirection of movement of the latch bolt 29, as indicated in dotted linesin Fig. 8, and an inoperative position wherein the constricted portionis oriented parallel to the direction of movement of the latch bolt, asshown in solid lines in Fig. 8. The width of the constricted portion el,as indicated by the dimension 64, is such that the constricted portionis engageable with the rearwardly extending arms 32 of the latch bolt toprevent retraction of the bolt Ywhen the locking member "53 is in itsoperative position, and the thickness of the constricted portion, asindicated by the dimension d5, is such that the constricted portion isreceivable between the arms of the latch bolt to permit retraction ofthe bolt when the locking member is in its inoperative position. Thus,when the locking member 58 is rotated into its inoperative position, thearms 32 of the latch bolt 29 span the constricted portion 6i of thelocking member to permit retraction of the latch bolt, and when thelocking member is rotated into its operative position, the arms 32engage the constricted portion to prevent retraction of the bolt.

I prefer to provide the door lock set IU with yieldable means 'I whichtends to resist rotation of the locking member 58 for the purpose ofreleasably retaining the locking member in either its operative positionor its inoperative position and for the purpose of providing a positivefeel for these positions.

The yieldable means 6? preferably comprises a bowed leaf s ring 68 theends of which are seated against a wall te of the housing section 2| andthe central portion of which engages a substantially square shankportion l'il of the locking member 58, the shank portion havingperipherally spaced, generally plane surfaces 'Il and 'I2 which engagethe central portion of the spring and which correspond to the operativeand inoperative positions, respectively, of the locking member. It willbe apparent that as the locking member 58 is rotated between itsoperative and inoperative positions, the corner 73 of the shank portionle between the surfaces il Iand 'I2 thereof depresses the centralportion of the bowed spring 68 to resist rotation of the locking memberwhereby the spring releasably retains the locking member in either itsoperative position or its inoperative position and provides a positivefeel for such positions. The leaf spring 5S also performs anotherimportant function in that it is adapted to engage shoulders I4 formedat the ends of the square shank portion I0 of the locking member 58 toprevent withdrawal of the locking member from the openings 5S and Edtherefor.

I prefer to provide the housing section 22 with an opening i5 therein topermit access to the locking member 53 from the side of the door I3opposite to that on which the handle 5l is located so that the lockingmember may be moved to its inoperative position in the event of anemergency, the locking member 58 preferably being provided with a notchi6 therein for the reception of the blade of a screw driver, or thelike.

Although I have disclosed an exemplary embodiment of my invention hereinfor illustrative purposes, it will be understood that I do not desire tobe limited thereto since various changes, modifications andsubstitutions may be incorporated in the embodiment disclosed withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, I herebyreserve the right to all such changes, modiiications and substitutionsas properly come within the scope ofthe appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. In a lock set for use on doors of various thicknesses, thecombination of: a housing comprising a pair of complementary housingsections which are adapted to be spaced apart a variable distance in atransverse direction; means for adjustably connecting said housingsections so as to permit varying the transverse spacing therebetween; abolt carried by one of said housing sections and movable relativethereto in a longitudinal direction substantially perpendicular to saidtransverse direction; means including an actuator extending in saidtransverse direction for moving said bolt in said longitudinaldirection; and a pair of handles connected tosaid actuator at pointswhich are spaced apart in said transverse direction, at least one ofsaid handles being adjustably connected to said actuator to permitvarying the transverse spacing between said points of connection incorrespondence with variations in the transverse spacing between saidhousing sections.

f 2. An adjustable door lock set, including: a frame comprising a pairof complementary sections which are adap-ted to be spaced apart avariable distance in a transverse direction; means for adj ustablysecuring said frame sections together so as to permit varying thetransverse spacing therebetween; a boit carried by one of said framesections and movable relative thereto in a longitudinal directionsubstantially perpendicular to said transverse direction; meansincluding a transversely movable actuating member for moving saidboltlongitudinally; and a pair of handles pivotally connected to saidframe sections, respectively, said handles being pivotally connected tosaid actuating member at transversely spaced points, and at least one ofsaid handles being adjustably connected to said actuating member topermit varying the transverse spacing between said points incorrespondence with variations in the transverse spacing of said framesections.

3. In a door lock set, the combination of: a frame; a bolt carried bysaid frame and movable relative thereto in a longitudinal directionbetween extended and retracted positions, said belt anarco:

having a pair of spaced, rearwardly extending arms;v a `locking membercarried by said frame and rotatable relative thereto. between.operative. and inoperative positions about an axis which extendstransversely of said longitudinal. direction, said locking member beingreceivable. between. said yarms when said locking member is in saidinoperative position so as to. permit movement of said bolt into saidretracted position, and said locking member providing a pair ofcircumferentially spaced areas, separated by a section of said lockingmember, the minimum radial. dis.- tances of said areas from the axis ofrotation of said locking member being less than the maximum radialdistance of said section of' said. locking member from such axis.;.means on said lockingk member engageable with said bolt for preventingmovement of said bolt into said retracted position when said lockingmember is. in said operative position; and yieldable means adapted tobear against one or the other oi said areas` of said. locking member forresisting rotation of said locking member so as to releasably retain itin either said operative position or said inoperative position.

4. In a door lock set, the combination of a frame provided with a guide;a bolt movable along said guide between extended Iand retractedpositionsandi provided with a pair of spaced, rearwardly extending arms; and alocking member rotatable relative to` said frame between operative andinoperative positions about an a-Xis substantially perpendicular to thedirection of movement of said bolt, said locking member having aconstricted portion which is receivable between said arms of said boltwhen said locking member is in said inoperative position so as to permitmovement of said bolt into said retracted position, and which isengageable with said arms when said locking member is in said operativeposition sov as to prevent movement of said bolt into said retractedposition.

5. In a door lock set, the combinationof: a frame; a bolt mov-ablerelative to said frame be tween extended and retracted positions; alocking member provided with a pair of peripherally spaced, generallyplane surfaces thereon, said locking member being rotatable relative tosaid frame between operative and inoperative positions and, when in itsoperative position, being' engageable with said boltl to preventmovement thereof into said retracted position; and spring meansengageable with said surfaces of said locki-ng member when said lockingmember is in its operative and inoperative positions, respectively, forresisting rotation of saidY lockingv member so as to tend tof retain itin either said operative position or said inoperative position.

6. A door lock set as dened in claim 5 wherein saidl'ocking member isprovided with a pair of spaced shoulders respectively located onopposite sides of said spring means and engageable thereby to: retainsaid locking member with respect to said frame.

75. An adjustable door lock set as dened' in claim 2 including a pin forpivotally connecting said one handle to said actuating member, saidactuating member being provided with a pluralityofholes for said pin topermit. varying the transverse spacing between said points.

8. An adjustable door lock set, comprising: a pair: of complementaryhousing sections adapted to be spaced apart a variable distance in atrans- Verse direction; adjustable means for connecting said housingsections together; a bolt carried by one of said housing sections andmovable relative thereto in a longitudinal direction substantiallyy1normal to said transverse direction; means including a cam device formoving said bolt in said longitudinal direction; and a pair of handlespivotally connected to said cam device at points spaced apart in saidvtransverse direction, at least one of said handles being adjustablyconnected to said cam device to permit varying the transverse spacingbetween said points of pivotal connection.

9. A lock set as dened in claim 1 wherein each of said housing sectionsis provided with a plurality of penetrating' elements which face theother of said housing sections, said penetrating elements being adaptedto penetrate the material of a door on which said lock set is mounted.

CARL F. FRIEND.

REFERENCES CITED The followingreferences are. of record in the iile: ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 170,393 Pomeroy Nov, 23, 1975659,887` Crouch Oct. 16, 1990 830,361 Peck et al. Sept. 41906 1,229,318Page et al June 12, 1917 2,244,344 North et al. June 3, 1941 2,304,612Voight Dec. 8, 1942 2,383,574 Voight Aug. 28, 1945

